A man is dead after a house fire in Middletown early Monday morning and two firefighters were injured while trying to get to him.
Fire officials said crews responded to a fire at 8 Millbrook Road around 12:45 a.m. when a neighbor taking his dogs out saw smoke and called 911. Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire when they arrived.
Firefighters entered the home and found a male resident inside. While firefighters were trying to rescue him from the home, two firefighters fell through the floor and had to be rescued by additional crews.
“They had found him, and they were trying to take that victim out when they fell through the floor," said South Fire District Chief Michael Howley.
Howley said a paramedic pronounced the man dead at the scene. The victim has not been publicly identified. The state medical examiner will determine the cause of death.
One firefighter who fell completely through the floor into the basement was taken to Hartford Hospital for treatment and is expected to be OK. The second firefighter fell partially through the floor and was taken to Middlesex Hospital for treatment. He has since been released.
Neighbor Randy Burlette, who was the one who called 911, praised the firefighters for their work.
“To know that they would just do that for anybody makes me feel a lot better about my house and everything, and I just hope that those guys are okay," Burlette said.
Multiple fire companies were called in to battle the fire.
Local
The state fire marshal has been called in to investigate the cause.
No other details were immediately available.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
